The Detroit Pistons find themselves believing they can win the Eastern Conference.
After a 30-win improvement a year ago, the Pistons aren't done getting better. And with the league quite wide open this season, it's there for the taking.
The Pistons could also make a trade to improve their chances.
A guy they've been linked to by Stephen Noh of AllSportsPeople is Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz.
Noh writes that Markkanen could also go to the San Antonio Spurs or Memphis Grizzlies.
Markkanen is having an obviously incredible season for Utah at more than 27 points per game. But can the Jazz afford to keep him and not prioritize their future?
"Markkanen has done a ton of losing," Noh writes. "He's been a good soldier, but at age 28 he's entering his prime and could be the missing piece on a number of contending teams. The best fit for him is the Pistons, who could use more 3-point shooting and an upgrade from Tobias Harris. Detroit has up to four picks that they could move, along with a flurry of young promising players."
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The Pistons could likely maintain most of their core while landing Markkanen, which may not be as true if they go after Anthony Davis or Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Markkanen has clearly kept getting better, but he's also not quite on the same level as those superstars.
For the trade to be worth it, Markkanen has to help the acquiring team make a potential deep postseason run. Otherwise, the cost will look like too much in retrospect.
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